Tar Heels return home with 6th NCAA title to celebrating fans

Head coach Roy Williams of the North Carolina Tar Heels receives the Championship trophy after defeating the Gonzaga Bulldogs 71-65 in the 2017 NCAA Men's Final Four National Championship game at University of Phoenix Stadium on April 3, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Now these Tar Heels will hang another banner from the Smith Center rafters. Or the ceiling. But probably not the roof.

No longer haunted by the memory of a buzzer-beating loss in last year's title game, but galvanized by a misstatement from their most decorated former player, the Tar Heels returned home Tuesday with their sixth NCAA Tournament trophy, which they earned a night earlier by beating Gonzaga in the championship game.

Thousands of fans poured into the arena and onto the court before the team's flight had even landed at nearby Raleigh-Durham International Airport, and they cheered fanatically every time live footage of the team's motorcade was shown on the video scoreboards.

When the individual players were introduced, they showered Atlantic Coast Conference player of the year Justin Jackson with chants of "one more year."

"It just didn't seem like we were going to get back to where we wanted to be, and you all did a great job," said guard Joel Berry II, still wearing the net from the title game around his neck. "We just basically did our thing, and we came back home with it."

This was the first time the team and its fans were together inside the Smith Center since a victory over Duke in the regular-season finale exactly one month earlier — a night made memorable by Michael Jordan's surprise appearance at halftime to announce a partnership between the athletic department and his Nike line.

LiAngelo Ball was indefinitely suspended alongside teammates Cody Riley and Jalen Hill after they were accused last month of shoplifting from a Louis Vuitton store next to their hotel in Hangzhou, China. If convicted, the trio would have faced 10-year sentences.

"I'm not sitting back and waiting," LaVar Ball told ESPN. "We get back over here and the consequences were even stiffer than China. So basically they're in jail here."

The trio apologized to their teammates, friends, families and the government – including President Donald Trump – at a news conference after they were returned to the U.S. on Nov. 14.

According to ESPN, Riley, Hill and LiAngelo Ball were subject to review for possible violations to UCLA’s Student Conduct Code. The code includes a section on theft.

UCLA basketball coach Steve Alford announced last month that the trio would be suspended indefinitely. ESPN reported that the players have not been allowed to suit up, travel or practice with the UCLA basketball team.

"These are good young men who exercised an inexcusable lack of judgment," Alford said at a news conference last month. “At some point, they may be permitted to join team workouts, practices and meetings, but that timeline has yet to be determined. They will have to earn their way back."

FILE - UCLA NCAA college basketball players, Liangelo Ball, left, and Cody Riley are shown in these file photos. The UCLA basketball team is heading back to Los Angeles without three players arrested on shoplifting charges in China, according to a report. Citing sources, ESPN reports freshmen LiAngelo Ball, Cody Riley and Jalen Hill were to remain in Hangzhou, China. UCLA won its season-opening game 63-60 over Georgia Tech in Shanghai on Saturday. (AP Photo/File)(AP)

LiAngelo Ball, Cody Riley and Jalen Hill were questioned and arrested by police after being accused of shoplifting from a Louis Vuitton store next to their hotel in Hangzhou, China. The three players were released on bond Wednesday and did not play in Friday’s game against Georgia Tech in Shanghai, China.

Jim Larranaga: 'I am Coach-3' in FBI college basketball probe

Head coach Jim Larranaga of the Miami Hurricanes looks on during the game against the Buffalo Bulls during the first round of the 2016 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Dunkin' Donuts Center on March 17, 2016 in Providence, Rhode Island. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)(Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

Maddie Meyer/Getty Images

CORAL GABLES, Fla. — University of Miami coach Jim Larranaga said his legal team believes he is “Coach-3,” as noted in the Department of Justice report about the FBI investigation into college basketball’s underbelly.

“I am grateful we have come to that conclusion,” said Larranaga, “as I know I did nothing wrong, and it is comforting to know none of my assistants are connected in any way.” He added that the U.S. attorney’s office has not confirmed the identity of “Coach-3.”

In a news conference at the Watsco Center, Larranaga addressed the media for the first time since the Sept. 26 complaint was unveiled in New York. Uncharacteristically, he read from a prepared statement. He fielded questions afterward from reporters about the emotional impact, but referred all inquiries about the investigation to his statement, which said he appreciated that the media had a job to do, but that he would not offer comment.

Larranaga’s full statement:

Jim Larranaga reads from a prepared statement on his involvement in the FBI investigation into college basketball's underbelly.

“I cannot state more emphatically that I absolutely have no knowledge of any wrongdoing by any member of our staff and I certainly have never engaged in the conduct that some have speculated about,” Larranaga said, holding a piece of paper with both hands.

“I have tried to live every single one of my 68 years on this earth with integrity, character, and humility. … To have those values that I cherish so dearly even questioned, is disheartening and disappointing.”

“Coach-3,” in the FBI report, was said to know about an Adidas executive and others conspiring to funnel some $150,000 to a 2018 recruit, later learned to be Orlando-based five-star wing Nassir Little. Little and his father signed statements, provided to The Post by Larranaga’s legal team, saying they accepted no money, never discussed payment with any of the men charged, and they and Miami did nothing wrong.

Asked about his relationship with former Adidas executive Jim Gatto, who was one of 10 men indicted by the FBI on conspiracy and fraud charges, Larranaga declined to comment, referring to the statement.

“It’s been a strain, physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually,” Larranaga said. “It’s something that’s there. I have to deal with it. I have the support of my wife and a wonderful family. I have the support of the university, my staff and players.”

Both Ja’Quan Newton and Bruce Brown, the two players Miami made available to the media, said they were not aware of the details of the investigation. They said practice has been as usual, and they’ve noticed no change in their coach.

“Around us, ‘Coach L’ isn’t going to show he’s hurt,” Newton said. “He’s so happy to be around us.”

Larranaga said he briefed his players on Sept. 26, along with UM Athletics Director Blake James.

10 Charged With Corruption In College Basketball

“They have nothing to do with this,” Larranaga said. “It hasn’t been talked about since.”

Asked how the investigation has affected recruiting, Larranaga said it has been a negative, but his staff is “very strong and resilient, and we’ll figure out a way to recruit successfully.”

UM does not have a verbal commitment for 2018. It had an official visit set up the weekend of Sept. 9 with five-star point guard Immanuel Quickley, but it was canceled when Hurricane Irma forced UM to evacuate the campus.

Asked if he has received messages of support from colleagues, Larranaga answered, “Yes.”

Asked if that has helped, Larranaga answered with the same flat, “Yes.”

Archie Miller talks publically for the first time since the death of Flyers center Steve McElvene.

Dayton Flyers coach Archie Miller spoke about Steve McElvene at his funeral today in Fort Wayne. It was the coach's first comments about McElvene since he died at home May 12 in Fort Wayne.

An emotional Miller was comforted by two of his players, as he recalled his personal conversations with McElvene and how he interacted with children during a camp.

"I know you loved your family dearly. You wore it on your sleeve every day. You didn't want to let anyone down.

"For as long as I live, May 12 will be a day that will shake me."

Portion of Miller's Speech

"Steve, when I see your family, I remember walking into your house for the first time and seeing how happy everyone was for you, that you were coming with us and you were going to college. I know you loved your family dearly. You wore it on your sleeve every day. You didn't want to let anyone down. I still can remember watching film when you dunked all over Alabama. You ran down the court pointing to your family in the crowd. You forgot the game was going on and lost your man and the ball. Your man caught the ball. You recovered. He fell down. You pumped your fist, and the crowd went wild. We discussed this the following day at length."

"Tough times call for tough people, and nobody is tougher than your mother. She's been a survivor her whole life. Now we can be there when she needs it the most, and whenever she needs us, she can always just pick up the phone and call."

"I know this. I have piece of mind. We fought as hard as we could for you while you with us. Every phase of your life, people gave everything they had to help you get where you wanted to go."

"For as long as I live, May 12 will be a day that will shake me. I can’t say I’ve ever been that scared or sick to my stomach in my life. Calls come in daily from the staff. Every time they are usually the same in one way or the other: some good, some hard to shake, but i’m usually read for the next step. Your guy (Coach Allen Griffin) called me, and I knew things were different."

I already transcribed most of it if you want to use these quotes. I just thought it might be overkill to post another burst. The burst I posted earlier was also from his speech.

Steve, when I see your family, I remember walking into your house for the first time and seeing how happy everyone was for you, that you were coming with us and you were going to college. I know you loved your family dearly. You wore it on your sleeve every day. You didn't want to let anyone down. I still can remember watching film when you dunked all over Alabama. You ran down the court pointing to your family in the crowd. You forgot the game was going on and lost your man and the ball. Your man caught the ball. You recovered. He fell down. You pumped your fist, and the crowd went wild. We discussed this the following day at length.

Tough times call for tough people, and nobody is tougher than your mother. She's been a survivor her whole life. Now we can be there when she needs it the most, and whenever she needs us, she can always just pick up the phone and call.

I know this. I have piece of mind. We fought as hard as we could for you while you with us. Every phase of your life, people gave everything they had to help you get where you wanted to go.

For as long as I live, May 12 will be a day that will shake me. I can’t say I’ve ever been that scared or sick to my stomach in my life. Calls come in daily from the staff. Every time they are usually the same in one way or the other: some good, some hard to shake, but i’m usually read for the next step. Your guy (Coach Allen Griffin) called me, and I knew things were different.